“Or does human life have no meaning and does a person have a goal?” This question, with which M. Blondel begins his work L’Action (Action), still has its full topicality and represents an area everyone must address. Otherwise, he will not find himself and will lack a mature and mature personal identity. This is important because we only have one life! That is why the most basic question in religion classes is: Why are we in the world? This is how religion gives us answers to the most significant questions regarding our lives: Where are we from and why are we here? Where is our goal? “Eternal life consists in knowing you, the only true God, and the one you sent, Jesus Christ” (Jn 17, 3). These words are the motto in the introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (hereafter KKC), which was also published in Slovak in 1998. To know God means to live, but to live life is not of this world. This knowledge is the goal of our life.
Therefore, the hunter is created not for this world, not for this life, but for another world, for another life, which means happiness that we cannot even imagine. St. speaks about this life. Augustine in the book of his Confessions, which are like a life confession and a confession, a celebration of God’s incomprehensible love: “When I cling to you with my whole being, I will never feel pain or effort, and my life, filled with you, will be a true life” (Confessions, 10 , 28; cf. CC, 45). We are created for this happiness, and this happiness is sought by our “restless heart”, which St. Augustine (Confessions, 1, 1). The New Testament uses several expressions to characterize the bliss to which God calls man. It is: the coming of the kingdom of God, seeing God, entering into the joy of the Lord, entering into the peace of God (cf. CCC, 1720). According to St. Augustin, “we will rest there and see: we will see and love. We will love and praise. So it will be endless in the end. After all, what other goal do we have, if not to come to the Kingdom, which will have no end?” (On the City of God, 22, 30).
” This desire is of divine origin. God put it in the heart of man to draw him to himself because only he can fully satisfy it” (KKC, 1718). This is how St. Thomas Aquinas: “Only God satiates.” Therefore, we can answer the old catechism question that “God created us to know him, to serve him and to love him, and that’s how we came to paradise.” Beatitude gives us participation in God’s nature and eternal life” (CCC, 1721). This simple sentence is like a tightrope on a steep mountain path, like something to cling to when everything is uncertain. At the same time, the meaning of the catechism is very simply explained in this truth: it is a way, a help to a happy life, a help in life, a guide, a map with precisely marked goals.
The fleeting desire for eternal life and eternal happiness confronts us with decisive choices. “He teaches us that true happiness is not in wealth or prosperity, nor human fame or power, nor any human creation, however useful, such as science, technology, art, nor in any creature, but only into God, the source of all good and all love” (CCC, 1723). A young man who graduated from school shortly after the gentle revolution started a business, and his work was successful. He almost became a self-confident man, which he made everyone feel. He saw the meaning of his work life. He devoted all his strength to her, but she did not fully satisfy him. He was a witness at marriage once. He confidently sat down on the bench. But as soon as the ceremony began, he disappeared. He had not been in the temple for very long. He didn’t know when to stand up, or when to stay seated. He didn’t even know the songs, he just opened his mouth,
When during Holy Communion the youth choir sang songs of praise about God’s love, the priest noticed that something was being done to him. The businessman lowered his head, his shoulders shook, and wept. After the ceremony, he came to the priest and said: “Those young people who sang are happy. They know why they live. And I understood that I don’t know why I live. I felt sorry for it. Father, help me to be happy like them.” This question is answered by Jesus when he met the rich young man (Mk 10, 17-22). Jesus’ answer leaves no shadow of doubt about the path to be taken and is summed up in the words: “Come, follow me!” (Mk 10:21), as soon as you renounce everything. The evangelist left us a note that highlights this consideration for us: The young man “became sad and went away sad because he had a lot of property” (Mk 10:22). These words are eloquent. The true meaning of our existence cannot be achieved without Christ, without God. We cannot achieve this without giving up everything.
Maria Cristina from Savoys (1812-1836), noble queen, and wife of King Ferdinand of Naples wrote in one of her poems: “Although I am healthy… But what next? – And I have gold and silver… But what next? – And fate put me in a high place… But what next? – I am almost the only one with such spirit and knowledge… But what next? – Even if I enjoyed the world for a thousand years… And then? – We almost die and nothing remains: – Serve your God and then you will have everything!” (A. Luciani: Letters to yesterday). Those are thoughts unsurpassed and true! We only have one life, so the question, “Why are we here?” is vitally important. God answered this question very clearly in Jesus, crucified and risen. Now he stands at the door and knocks. Whoever wants, he will open for him. Those who open up to him will not regret it.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and the catechesis (teaching) of the apostles show us the paths that lead to the kingdom of heaven. Strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we strive to follow them step by step with our daily deeds…” (CCC, 1724). A good Christian life was already a “way” to God for the first Christians. Even our life is not only one of many paths, but also a path that God himself shows us, and which reliably leads through this life and safely leads to the goal. Whether we achieve it depends on us. God does not force us to do this, he only invites us: “If you want…” (Mt 19, 17). However, it is worth achieving. Jesus Christ assures us of this: “Come, you blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you…” (Mt 25, 34). What “eye has not seen, nor ear heard”, and what “has not entered the human heart” (1 Cor 2, 9)
